I just discovered FriendFinder=Fast Cupid, (and apparently a whole host of other pseudonymns), so I'm posting this review here. Simply switch FriendFinder for Fast Cupid, and all is relevant.

Well, the SpringStreet merger/take over by Fast Cupid is complete. I'm sure others are experiencing the horror that I am.

SpringStreet may have been a small player in the dating service game, but I will concur with those who voiced it's merits. SpringsStreet's profiles were more original and ultimately informative than the fluff on most sights. SpringStreet, through it's many partners, also drew in a distinctly 'hipper' crowd than other sites I've seen. Best of all, SpringStreet offered a pay as you go service, using a credit system to use features like chat or sending messages. ALL users had the same functionality and ability to look at profiles, and you simply paid when you wanted to talk. No monthly fees, no teases with pictures you can't view or profiles you can't read.

Fast Cupid is the antithesis of all that SpringStreet was. "standard" users have almost no functionality. They cannot see pictures. They cannot send messages. And from what I can tell, premium members can't send messages to standard members unless they pay for an additional service. Monthly fees are high, and when you really look under the covers, there's not enough to justify the cost. For example, it may appear that there are a lot of users on Fast Cupid, but it's quickly apparent that only a very small percentage are premium members. Thus, if you plunk down your nickels and buy a premium service, you will still be hindered by their limitations and will only effectively be communicating with the few other premium members.

Worst of all, Fast Cupid has lost all of my most recent messages I had received under SpringStreet. Lost contacts, lost details, with no way to re-contact those other members because of the limitations of a standard membership. Furthermore, my profile has been in pending status since the change. No one can see ME, so I can't even hide a message in my profile with outside contact info.

Fast Cupid customer service does not respond. Fast Cupid quite openly states that premium members get preferential treatment, (faster customer service response, they call it). Obviously, they don't even want to address their failures until you've paid them.

Yes, online dating is a business, and they're in it for the money. But no other service is so blatantly interested in getting your money, with little care about finding you a date.

Stay away, avoid, ANY service using the Fast Cupid engine. There are better services out there.

If anyone has suggestions for an online dating service similiar to the now defunct SpringStreet, please post here.

Cheers, and happy dating to all.